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TRINITY CHURCH, 1856-1857, WITH EXTRACTS · 510
IX .- THE CONSECRATION OF TRINITY CHURCH, A.D. 1846 · 517
X .- SKETCH OF THE REV. MARTIN P. PARKS, D. D. . 526 XI .- INSCRIPTIONS ON THE SHIELDS IN ST. CORNELIUS'S CHAPEL 529
XII. - SKETCH OF THE REV BENJAMIN I. HAIGHT, D.D. 530 XIII .- THE SERMONS OF THE REV. HENRY BARCLAY, D.D. · 532
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Contents
PAGE
XIV .- THE SOCIETY LIBRARY
533
XV .- THE CATECHETICAL SCHOOL . 534
XVI .- THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF A SURPLICED CHOIR IN
TRINITY CHURCH . 534
XVII .- STATEMENT OF GRANTS, GIFTS, AND LOANS MADE BY TRINITY CHURCH . 535
XVIII .-- THE CLERGY OF TRINITY PARISH, A. D. 1697-A. D. 1905 . 564
. XIX .- WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF TRINITY PARISH, A. D. 1697-A.D. 1905 .
. 572 .
XX .- LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO IN PART IV. . 583
INDEX
591
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
THE REV. WILLIAM BERRIAN, D.D. Frontispiece LETTER FROM BISHOP HOBART TO BISHOP LUSCOMBE INTRO- DUCING MR. FENIMORE COOPER . 22
BISHOP HOBART'S HOUSE AT "THE SHORT HILLS" . IIO
THE GROUNDS AT "THE SHORT HILLS" ·
II2
TRINITY CHURCH FROM THE ARCHITECT'S DRAWING 258
EXTERIOR VIEW OF TRINITY CHURCH. 1846. 278
INTERIOR VIEW OF TRINITY CHURCH . . 282
CHAPEL OF ST. CORNELIUS THE CENTURION
THE MEMORIAL SHIELDS IN ST. CORNELIUS'S CHAPEL · 310
. 308
TRINITY CHAPEL AND THE PRESENT RECTOR'S STUDY · 410
THE OLD RECTORY. FROM A VIEW TAKEN SEPTEMBER, 1905 . 424
THE REV. MORGAN DIX, D.D. 463
LETTER FROM DR. BERRIAN TO MRS. W. R. WHITTINGHAM · 474
The letter from Bishop Hobart to Bishop Luscombe is reproduced by permission of the Rev. Samuel Hart, D. D., Registrar of the Gen- eral Convention.
The illustration from a pen-and-ink sketch of Trinity Church by Mr. Upjohn, the architect, is reproduced by permission of the Rev. Joseph Hooper, M.A.
The letter from Dr. Berrian to Mrs. Whittingham is reproduced by permission of the Rev. Joseph Hooper, M.A.
xvii - Xviii
INTRODUCTORY.
S EVEN years and a half have passed away since I wrote the preface to the first volume of this History of the Parish of Trinity Church; and now, with a fourth volume, I bring my work to a close. It is high time, for the days of my life are far spent, and it is natural to wish to rest from one's labors.
This volume contains the story of the termination of the Rectorship of that great and eminent man, John Henry Hobart, no unfit introduction to the record of his worthy successor. To Dr. Berrian the remainder of this volume is devoted ; it ends with the day on which his mortal re- mains were committed to the grave, and I took his place. Through the goodness of our Heavenly Father, my life, though far protracted, has been prolonged to a point at which I could complete the work ; another must take it up, if the Corporation desire that it be brought down to these times : my task is at an end.
In one sense of the adjective, this work deserves the title of opus magnum ; as descriptive of its bulk, at least, though not, of necessity, of the merit or success of the author. But his object has been rather to present the material for a History, than to give a popular narrative, such as we often find expressive of the individual opinions and possi- bly the interested, if not partisan, views of the writers. Our venerable Parish needs no such aid from any man ; its History fully told, without prepossession or advocacy, is its best defence from ignorant misrepresentation and vul- gar abuse and assault. It has been the object to tell the
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XX
Introductory
story, straight and clear, from the beginning, and so to enable the right-minded and the just to comprehend the events of the past two centuries, and to see how things came to be, and why things are as they are to-day. "Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off." If the editorial harness was put on in no boastful spirit, but with the simple intention of let- ting a story tell itself, free from notes and comments, perhaps misleading and in any event injurious to the clearness of the narrative and obstructive to the candid reader, he who finally puts it off may do so with a good conscience, and with a deep sigh of relief, as he lays down the pen and writes the final consummatum est.
I hope this story will be carried on, by and by. There will be much to tell since 1862. When I then succeeded to the administration of the Parish, the number of our clergy was eight, there are now twenty-five; there were four churches, there are now nine. Christian education is carried forward upon a large scale in seventeen schools of various kinds, of which several are permanently endowed ; a Parish Hospital, and a burial ground for the poor, are parts of our equipment : the Annual Year-Book grows in size as time goes on. We have come through our trials, as in past years, fighting battles against aggression from outside, but, thank God, at peace within our borders, and almost, if not absolutely, free from controversies, dissen- sions, or whatever might have disturbed the peace of our household of faith. The future historiographer of the Parish, whoever he may be, will have material for a con- tinuation of the record such as may rejoice the hearts of the faithful, and give fresh occasion to praise the God of our fathers by Whose Hand His people still are blessed.
It gives me pleasure to renew the thanks heretofore expressed to him who almost from the beginning has
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Introductory
labored with me in the collection of the material for this History and in its compilation, the Rev. Arthur Lowndes, D.D., and also to the Rev. Joseph Hooper, to whom I am indebted for various notes and for investigations relating to the rectorship of Dr. Berrian.
To the gentlemen of the Vestry, who, from the first, have enthusiastically approved of the design and liberally provided the means of carrying it out, no words suffice to express my gratitude.
And, now, it remains to say to the reader, Farewell. God prosper, protect, and defend the venerable Parish, and keep us all, clergy and people, loyal to the principles which have held us together, from generation to genera- tion, and faithful to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of our Branch of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ.
TRINITY RECTORY, EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. ANDREW, November 29, 1905.
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A HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF TRINITY CHURCH
CHAPTER I.
HOBART CORRESPONDENCE.
PART VII. FROM HIS RETURN FROM EUROPE TO MARCH, 1827.
Letter from the Rev. Seth Hart Welcoming the Bishop back to his Diocese - The Ringing of Church Bells ; Letter from Bishop Hobart - Letter from Bishop Croes Acknowledging Generosity of Trinity Corporation-From Thomas Bold Announcing Despatch of a Gift of Books from England - From the Rev. H. H. Norris and Serjeant Sellon on the Bishop's Sermon Preached on his Return from Europe - From Miss Norris to the Rev. Dr. Lowndes - From Bishop Hobart to the Rev. H. H. Norris- From Serjeant Sellon-From the Rev. H. U. Onderdonk on the Criticism in the Theological Quarterly Review of the Bishop's Sermon - Bishop Hobart's Letter of Introduction for Mr. J. Fenimore Cooper - Steamboat Travel in 1826- Letter from the Rev. Jasper Adams on the Presidency of Geneva Col- lege - From the Rev. Evan M. Johnson on his Having Requested the Masons to Lay the Corner-stone of his Chapel in Brooklyn - From the Rev. Henri Peneveyre on Ecclesiastical Affairs in Switzerland- From the Rev. Alonzo Potter Introducing his Brother Horatio - From the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis on a Gift of Books from England for the Seminary and the Duty Levied on them - From Bishop Skinner Acknowledging Gift of Books from Bishop Hobart - From Mr. Francis S. Key on Church Matters - From Bishop Bowen and the Rev. William Meade on the Pro- posed Changes in the Prayer-Book - The Merging of the Two Prayer-Book So- cieties and Letter from Mr. William E. Dunscomb- Invitation from the Vestry of St. Paul's, Detroit, to Bishop Hobart to Hold a Confirmation in their Church, and Letter from the Rev. Richard F. Cadle.
I N the brief introduction to the third volume of this History, the writer gave the reason why a fourth had been added to the series. This, the fourth, will be found to contain the account of the rectorship of the Rev. VOL. IV .- I. I
2
History of Trinity Church
[1825-
William Berrian, D.D., the immediate predecessor of the present incumbent. But before proceeding to the record of his acts, it is necessary to relate the pathetic story of the closing scenes in the earthly life of Bishop Hobart. To this shall be prefixed copies of some additional letters belonging to the Correspondence, of which specimens have already been given. The present chapter contains that part of the said correspondence which dates from the Bishop's return from Europe to March, 1827. We begin with one from Mr. Seth Hart, which was received by him on his return home.
" HEMPS! 16th Oct. 1825.
" RT. REVD. & DEAR SIR :
"I have this moment heard of your arrival in N. Y .- but nothing particular-and in the joy of my heart and with sincere gratitude to God our preserver, for bringing you again to the bosom of your family, and of the Church which has so long been deprived of your Episcopal ministrations and Pastoral care, I improve this first opportunity of our now starting stage to congratulate you on your return at this favour- able time that we may mutually enjoy the blessing of meeting next week, (Bp., Presbyters, Deacons, and Lay Delegates) in Convention- which I anticipate as a more joyful event than the expected meeting of the waters of the Ocean and the Lakes.1
"Before you be otherwise engaged in Episcopal duties of that kind, I take the liberty of reminding you of your having said here on the eve of your going abroad that your first official act in any of the country churches after your return should be to confirm in mine. We shall hope it may be soon. With the best feelings my hard heart is suscepti- ble of, I am, my dear Bishop
"Your affectionate Presbyter & friend, "SETH HART. " RIGHT REVD. J. H. HOBART, D.D."
Soon after the Bishop's return a correspondence was started in the newspapers as to the utility of bell-ringing in the city. At first the remarks were confined to the ringing of bells as alarms in cases of fire, and then ob-
1 Alluding to the completion of the Erie Canal.
3
A Plea for Church Bells
1825]
jectors condemned all bell-ringing. The following draft of a letter in the Bishop's handwriting is among the Ho- bart MSS. It is an eloquent plea for the continuance of ringing the church bells, as a call to Divine Worship.
"TO THE EDITORS OF THE AMERICAN.
" GENTLEMEN
"It is the immemorial custom of every Christian nation to announce the hours of public worship by the ringing of bells, thus reminding the community at large of the great duty of worshipping their divine Bene- factor & Father. But it seems that this, one of those public observ- ances by which Christian nations are distinguished, & which like other external observances is not without its effect on the religious habits of the people is considered by some of your correspondents as a 'great nuisance.' How does it happen that the delicate nerves & sensibilities which are so shocked at the sound of 'The Church going bell,' should not display themselves any where but in the city of New-York. Ages have rolled away, during which all Christian nations have thus been accustomed to mark the ' holy hours of prayer.' The crowded cities & the lonely villages of our own country, resound with these calls to assem- ble at the temples of the Most High, proclaiming the religious sense of the community, and reminding the careless & indifferent of their duty. " The great nuisance' of this practice, so general in every age and coun- try that it may be considered as a dictate of a powerful religious prin- ciple, has been no where discovered except in this city. Is it grievous to the sick & dying ? But an argument which proves too much, proves nothing. The clattering of pleasure carriages & the heavy thundering of carts are often seriously annoying to the sick & the dying. Why not put a stop to these ? In cases of peculiar nervous irritability in sick persons, the noise of carriages is guarded against by strewing the streets with tan. And in every case where requested as necessary to the comfort of a sick person the ringing of a neighbouring bell has been either entirely suspended, or diminished in frequency & loud- ness. It really seems to me wonderful that only in this city should there be that exquisite sensibility which is so much agonized at ringing of bells, which in England & in some places in our own country, par- ticularly in the neighbouring city of Philada where the quiet habits of the Friends prevail is frequently resorted to as an amusement. With this view solely, Christ Church bells in Philada sound a merry peal for an hour or more two evenings in the week.
4
History of Trinity Church
[1826-
" The usage of all religious denominations to summon their people to Church on Sundays, & of some on the festival or prayer days of the week has been of so long standing, & is so justified & sanctioned by the long immemorial practice of all Christian nations, that it may be con- sidered as a religious right; and I confess I cannot for a moment think, that in this free country where legislation is managed with so much regard to the religious feelings & habits of the people, the corporation of the city will depart from the wise maxim of not governing too much, & will attempt to invade a right which is respected in the strong mon- archy of England & in the despotic governments of the old world.
" A FRIEND TO OLD CUSTOMS. " Dec: 29: 1825"
With some slight alterations the letter appeared in the issue of the New- York American for December 30th.
Bishop Croes, with that modesty of character which so distinguished him, thus acknowledged the generosity of the Trinity Corporation :
"NEW BRUNSWICK, Jan. 11th 1826.
"VERY DEAR AND RT. REVD. FRIEND AND BROTHER,
"I received your kind letter, last evening; but the contents of it were wholly unexpected. When, at your request, I cheerfully engaged to perform for you the duties that might be necessary in your Diocese, during your indispensable, but regretted absence ; I considered it not a labour, but a pleasure, as an opportunity was thus afforded me- however distressing the cause-to oblige you, and thus shew you my regard. And during the exercise of the office, I cheerfully and pleas- urably did everything that I thought would promote the interests of the Diocese, without exposing myself to the charge of being too assum- ing or officious. In this I was abundantly rewarded by the pleasure, I received, in the exercise of the office itself, in assisting to keep the Diocese in order, and in progress, and from the courteous, and re- spectful manner, in which, I was invariably treated by those of your Presbyters and Deacons, with whom I had intercourse, especially those in the town and its vicinity.
"I cannot, therefore, accept of the very liberal sum you state in your letter, if I must view it in the light of a compensation or reward for any services, I may have, done; but I will not refuse it, on the other hand, I will gratefully accept it, as a generous donation,
5
Letter from Thomas Bold
1826]
from the respected Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of an opulent Ch. -always liberal in their favours-to the Head of a Diocese, which is unhappily deficient in the means necessary to afford him a proper support.
"I accept also their thanks, with emotions of pleasure.
"I am, my dear brother and friend,
" affectionately and sincerely yours,
" JOHN CROES.
" RIGHT REV. BISHOP OF NEW YORK."
The Bishop's friends in England kept up their corre- spondence with him on his return to this country ; some, like the Rev. G. Holden, sending copies of their works to the General Theological Seminary.
" MY DEAR & RIGHT REV. SIR
" Your note of the Ist Sept" was perused with pleasure, tho' not un- mixed with regret that my return home only a few days after you had embarked for America, had deprived me of the still higher gratification of personally congratulating you upon the improved state of your health, & of introducing you to my Family. I have, however, to re- joice with you upon the truly gratifying & distinguished manner in which your safe return to your Diocese was welcomed ; & I partici- pate, in common with the rest of your Friends, in those feelings to which such an interesting occurrence must give birth.
"It was my intention to have thanked you by the Canada on her last visit to N. Y. for the Sermon delivered by you in Rome-the place, the occasion were in a high degree extraordinary & interesting ! Does it ' not warrant the hope that a favourable change has taken place in the Vatican ? Your benevolent efforts, I trust, were rewarded with the success which they so well merited. The subscriptions in this Country, I am concerned to observe, do not advance as might be wished ; but the times are adverse ; and the increasing difficulties in the commercial world, will, I fear, for a while continue to obstruct the stream of charity.
" But I will account for my silence-Soon after you left Liverpool for the Continent, one or two of the Pamphlets for which I am in- debted to your kindness, were lent to a Clerical Friend, Mr. Holden, who, probably, may not be unknown to you as an Author. Mr. H. was
1 " the permission I mean granted to you &c."
6
History of Trinity Church
[1826-
much gratified with the perusal of your Pamphlets, and requested that I would present to you, for the use of the Theological Seminary in N. Y. a copy of his works, wh then consisted of the following : -
" Illustration of the Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
"Scripture Testimonies &c.
" Disputation on the Fall.
These Volumes were sent to a Relative of his in Liverpool to be for- warded to me, but, taught to look for your return in the Autumn of 1824, I desired they might remain in Liverpool. Deprived of the pleasure of presenting them in person by my absence at Harrogate, I asked for the Volumes upon my return, but they were not to be found -part of his books were out of Print-application was made to Riving- tons ; and not many days have elapsed since Mr. H. was enabled to furnish me with a complete Set. 'The Xtn Sabbath' the production of his pen, only a few weeks old, he has added to the Vols. above.
"Mr. H. has deemed it proper to accompany his Offering with a letter to you, as it afforded him an opportunity of expressing the inter- est which he feels in the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, in which feeling I need not assure you how fully I participate. Mr. Roughsedge our worthy & venerable Rector, as well as many others of our Brethren, who had the pleasure of being introduced to you, have expressed their concern that your short stay in Liverpool, did not allow them an opportunity of renewing their acquaintance with you.
"Have the goodness to offer my best respects to Mrs. Hobart, and to accept the good wishes of
"Your very faithful Servant
" THOS BOLD.
" DUKE STREET LIVERPOOL " Jan3. 31. 1826, "The Books are sent by the New York Packet."
The following letter from the Bishop's staunch friend, the Rev. H. H. Norris, deals so well with the sermon the Bishop preached on his return from Europe that it deserves to be placed permanently on record.
" March 6th 1826.
" MY DEAR FRIEND,
"Tho I am really at this time overwhelmed with engagements I must not suffer the Packet to leave England without a letter to you,
7
Letter from Rev. H. H. Norris
1826]
because my silence might have the appearance of having taken offence at your comparative view of our two countries and at all events would keep you in painful suspense upon a point on which I know you feel a lively sensibility. I have read your sermon with great attention and it is very evident to me that there are two objects aimed at throughout. The first of these is to proclaim your own unaltered attachment to your own Church and its institutions-to stimulate the same feeling amongst its members and to give a popularity to it, which has been kept in check by its Episcopal character, allying it in appearance more to England than to the Civil Government established amongst yourselves; and the second is to do this without giving your friends here reasonable offence, by qualifying all your animadversions with strong testimonies in favour of the Church of England and the warm- est expressions of respect and affection.
" I do not conceive it to have been possible to have promoted the first object more effectually than you have done, and if you have not succeeded in your second to the extent which I am sure it was your desire to do, you have fully manifested that desire, and have only fallen into the same dilemma which Du Moline fell into before you when, in attempting to defend the Geneva platform against some French assailant, he ran rather foul of our Episcopal Establishment, and incurred the displeasure of our first James. The correspondence which this produced between him and Bishop Andrewes was published last year in the "Xtian Rembr"1 and you will there see Du Moline very much in your present situation. You will judge I trust from what I have already said that I am not the least out of charity with you for your Patriotic effusions. I desire as heartily as you can do the extension of the American Church; and if there are defects in our system, which I readily admit, next to seeing them corrected my prayer is that you may avoid them and you give me not the least um- brage by pointing them out; but I think with all your inquisitiveness and keenness of observation, your opportunities here did not enable you to get to the bottom of all points upon which you speak with con- fidence, and that you have consequently committed yourself in some particulars. I honour most cordially that devotedness to your own native land which makes you cherish a preference to it when com- pared with all other lands 'in almost every point of comparison.' This is a genuine English as well [as] American feeling. It predomi- nates with me so strongly, that I have never set foot out of England, though I have the means at my command, and am delighted with the
1 Abbreviation for Christian Remembrancer.
L
8
History of Trinity Church
[1826-
contemplation of men, manners and scenery more than I can express; but when in disparagement of splendid structures, you ascribe their erection to the gratification of private luxury or pride, and in panegyris- ing your own substantial, neat, commodious dwellings, you describe them as belonging emphatically to freemen and as presenting a land- scape not alloyed by the painful consideration of their being erected by the hard labour of degraded vassals, nor painfully contrasted with the meaner habitations, and the miserable hovels that mark a dependent, and sometimes a wretched peasantry, I think you have been carried away by the enthusiasm of the moment and speaking unreservedly where you ought to have guarded your words by strong qualifications. The mansions of our nobility and of our untitled aristocracy are many of them exceedingly splendid-and without doubt there are instances, perhaps many, where the motives to which you ascribe the building of them may accurately apply-but this is far from being so obviously the case in all instances as to warrant any one in the use of so sweep- ing a denunciation. Their size and their splendour arose in very many instances out of the genius of our constitution, which preserves a regu- lar gradation in Society and does not affect that dead level which the American taste inclines to; and if your freemen upon a small scale ' walk proudly over their land,' whilst it is an admission on your part that pride has as much to do in the erection of the neat, commodious dwelling as of the immense structure, I can assure you from my own knowledge that many of our freemen upon a large scale walk with the greatest humility over their land, not so much exulting in the idea that it is their own, as in the opportunity which it affords them of being what Job was, a Father to the surrounding neighbourhood, and provid- ing its inhabitants both with honest occupation and support.
.
" I now turn to the other side of your picture. That I mean to be contemplated amongst yourselves and I cannot see in the first place why the owners of the soil with you are so pre-eminently free in comparison with our yeomanry that you are warranted in making the term emphatic-for as it appears to me every landed proprietor with us is under less restraint than with you, in as much as he can direct the appropriation of the property which his own industry has accumulated in what proportions he pleases to his children's children as well as to the immediately succeeding generation, whereas yours are legally disqualified in this particular, and if any one among you, who has realized property, has the misfortune of having a spendthrift son, he cannot provide against his squandering propensities by a tenancy for life and a reversion to his grandchildren, but must leave these objects
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